^^Interesting. I've used Zip (for about 4 years) simply because Netflix isn't available in Canada.

Zip has been OK as an alternative, but I can't see how Zip could be considered on par with Netflix. Zip's access to titles (specifically wait times) has always been a problem, something Netflix is not immune to, but certainly much better with. Zip doesn't offer any kind of quality streaming option, something Netflix continues to expand on. And considering that over about four years my Zip plan has gone from $12.95 up to $24.95......there's PLENTY of room to compete on price.

Keep in mind that Netfilx is bringing streaming only to Canada, so you won't be able to use Netflix as an alternative to Zip for getting DVDs in the mail.

That being said, unless Zip gets on board with a competing streaming service, they could be dead in the water. In a few years, the idea of actually having a physical disc delivered to you in the mail will seem downright awkward because most TVs, consoles, BluRay players, etc. will be able to stream these things right to your living room.

^^Interesting. I've used Zip (for about 4 years) simply because Netflix isn't available in Canada.

Zip has been OK as an alternative, but I can't see how Zip could be considered on par with Netflix. Zip's access to titles (specifically wait times) has always been a problem, something Netflix is not immune to, but certainly much better with. Zip doesn't offer any kind of quality streaming option, something Netflix continues to expand on. And considering that over about four years my Zip plan has gone from $12.95 up to $24.95......there's PLENTY of room to compete on price.

I suspect that Zip will be crushed within a couple of years.

I acknowledge that Zip has definitely got their wires crossed when it comes to sending DVD's high up on someone's Ziplist. This next title they're sending me is 9th on my list. They couldn't get me one of the 8 above it? I'm disappointed, to say the least. But given there are no competitors that can do better -- yet -- what else am I to do, eh?

Me, I only pay for the basic zip service. $8.95 a month. I would pay more, but my Ziplist has less than 12 titles in it right now, and I'm content to let that run its course. One of these days I'll have to add more titles to it.

A thought just also occured to me regarding Netflix and their streaming service. I like Zip's service now. There's just something uniquely beneficial to receiving a physical DVD from a rental service such as Zip or Netflix that just can't be beat by streaming video.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Keep in mind that Netfilx is bringing streaming only to Canada, so you won't be able to use Netflix as an alternative to Zip for getting DVDs in the mail.

That being said, unless Zip gets on board with a competing streaming service, they could be dead in the water. In a few years, the idea of actually having a physical disc delivered to you in the mail will seem downright awkward because most TVs, consoles, BluRay players, etc. will be able to stream these things right to your living room.

I dunno... the major benefit of a physical media kinda outweighs the convenience of a streamed video. Even if I do have to eventually return it.

I am a PS3 owner, so that's how I'll be doing Netflix when it becomes available. I would imagine that Netflix will be available on similar devices here as the delays in getting the service here we due more to the legal/distribution models than the hardware.

Basically it looks like all of the 3 main, current console systems are compatible, as well as a growing number of other devices.

I find it interesting that the PS3 movie store just opened in Canada (finally) a couple of weeks ago, and now Netflix announces that they are entering the market. Let's keep it coming with Hulu next. Wishful thinking...

So how exactly does Netflix streaming work? I am trying to look on their website, but everything I click on redirects me to the Canadian sign up page.

Can I watch any movie or TV show that is on their service instantly? Or do titles need to become available to me? What hardware do you need to use this?

Netflix apparently has one of the largest libraries for streaming movies, but it isn't their entire library.

You need Netflix software to view Netflix media. Almost all media center software packages have Netflix support, and lots of TVs and Blu-Ray players have it built in as well (I think all Samsung Blu-Ray players, for example, have Netflix support). XBox 360, Wii, PS3 all can use Netflix. There's an iPhone/iPad app, a Netflix set-top box, etc. etc.

I dunno... the major benefit of a physical media kinda outweighs the convenience of a streamed video. Even if I do have to eventually return it.

Honest question - I'm not trying to sound condescending here, but what are the benefits of having physical media mailed to you instead of streaming? If you can have the same movie streamed instantly as opposed to waiting for it to become available, sending it back, etc., I simply don't see why you wouldn't want to press a button and watch it right away. I can understand that sometimes you might want to own a certain movie and have it on your shelf, but for renting - I have no problem streaming it and then having it disappear into the ether.

I'm not saying that there aren't advantages to physical media at this point in time. As I understand it, the library size for physical media at Netflix (and probably Zip too) is bigger than what Netflix will be streaming. And if you're a big HD buff, 1080 on a Blu-Ray will be preferable to 720 streaming.

I see all of those things evolving over time to the point where you can stream pretty much any movie you want in full 1080 HD. That would be awesome, indeed.

Honest question - I'm not trying to sound condescending here, but what are the benefits of having physical media mailed to you instead of streaming? If you can have the same movie streamed instantly as opposed to waiting for it to become available, sending it back, etc., I simply don't see why you wouldn't want to press a button and watch it right away. I can understand that sometimes you might want to own a certain movie and have it on your shelf, but for renting - I have no problem streaming it and then having it disappear into the ether.

I'm not saying that there aren't advantages to physical media at this point in time. As I understand it, the library size for physical media at Netflix (and probably Zip too) is bigger than what Netflix will be streaming. And if you're a big HD buff, 1080 on a Blu-Ray will be preferable to 720 streaming.

This.

I'm as excited as anyone to get Netflix in Canada, but like any other streaming services, there are some serious sacrifices in video/audio quality that make streaming a reality for the average user's connection.

I'm fine with the 720p limit. All other things equal, 1080p requires double the bandwidth of 720p. A good 720p stream will look much, much better than a compressed, dithered 1080p stream. As it is, all streaming services I'm aware of compress the crap out of their 720p streams, I can only imagine how awful 1080p would look.

I'm as excited as anyone to get Netflix in Canada, but like any other streaming services, there are some serious sacrifices in video/audio quality that make streaming a reality for the average user's connection.

I'm fine with the 720p limit. All other things equal, 1080p requires double the bandwidth of 720p. A good 720p stream will look much, much better than a compressed, dithered 1080p stream. As it is, all streaming services I'm aware of compress the crap out of their 720p streams, I can only imagine how awful 1080p would look.

Same with audio, I don't think they support surround sound yet. Then there's the special features on the discs.

I'm as excited as anyone to get Netflix in Canada, but like any other streaming services, there are some serious sacrifices in video/audio quality that make streaming a reality for the average user's connection.

I'm fine with the 720p limit. All other things equal, 1080p requires double the bandwidth of 720p. A good 720p stream will look much, much better than a compressed, dithered 1080p stream. As it is, all streaming services I'm aware of compress the crap out of their 720p streams, I can only imagine how awful 1080p would look.

Yea with audio, I don't think they support surround sound yet. Then there's the special features on the discs.